How warm does it get on the Feldberg in summer?

Noticeably cooler than in the valley. Thanks to the altitude of over 1,200 metres it usually stays pleasant — evenings can turn fresh, so a light jacket makes sense.

Can you swim in the Feldsee?

No. The Feldsee lies in a nature reserve and swimming is not permitted. For swimming, the nearby Titisee and Schluchsee are ideal.

Is the Feldberg suitable for families in summer?

Very much so. The summit circuit (Gipfelrundweg) is pushchair-friendly (according to Hochschwarzwald Tourismus); the Wichtelpfad for children is not pushchair-friendly. On top of that there are numerous excursion destinations in the surrounding area.

When is the Feldberg busiest?

On sunny weekends in high summer, especially in the early afternoon. An early start is worthwhile.

Feldberg in Summer — Hiking, Swimming and Cool Mountain Air

The Feldberg in summer stays noticeably cooler than the valleys — up here a breeze almost always blows and the forests give shade, so it works as a hot-weather escape. Summer is also the main hiking season, with the summit circuit and the Feldsee on the mountain and Titisee and Schluchsee about 15 minutes away by car.

At a glance

Climate: Cooler than the valleys — breeze and shade
Classic loops: Summit circuit (Gipfelrundweg), Feldsee, Feldbergsteig
Swimming: Titisee and Schluchsee — not the Feldsee
With children: Pushchair-friendly: the summit circuit
Busiest: Sunny high-summer weekends, early afternoon

Summer on the Feldberg — when others swelter, it’s pleasant up here

The Feldberg in summer is a surprise to many. While Freiburg or Lake Constance turn hot and humid, it stays pleasantly fresh at 1,200 to 1,493 metres. Up here a breeze almost always blows, the forests provide shade, and the cirque lakes lie deep blue in their rocky basins. That is exactly what makes the highest mountain in the Black Forest one of the best summer destinations in southern Germany — especially for everyone who copes badly with the heat.

We show you what makes the Feldberg special in summer: hikes for every pace, water to cool off in and a few honest tips for planning.

Hiking at a cool altitude

Summer is the main season for hikers — and the choice around the Feldberg is large:

Feldberg summit circuit (Gipfelrundweg) (5.78 km, about 2.5 hours, easy): According to Hochschwarzwald Tourismus the accessible classic is pushchair-friendly; it starts with a Feldbergbahn ride to the Seebuck station and leads along the Franz-Klarmeyer-Weg to the summit. The Feldberg Tower has a viewing platform at a height of 45 m (reached by lift); on a clear day, according to Hochschwarzwald Tourismus, the view runs from the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau to the Zugspitze, the Mont Blanc massif and the Vosges.
To the Feldsee (on foot only): The region recommends starting at the Feldbergbahn valley station or the Feldberg-Caritas bus stop; the Seesträßle from the Caritas-Haus to the Raimartihof at the lake is 2.68 km long, takes about 1.5 hours and is rated “medium” by Hochschwarzwald Tourismus. There is no official circular route around the lake. Swimming is banned — the Feldsee lies in a nature reserve.
Feldbergsteig (about 12 km, moderate to difficult): The certified premium trail for anyone who wants to be out all day.

You will find a detailed overview in our article The Finest Hiking Trails on the Feldberg.

To be honest: even in summer the weather up here can change quickly. A rain jacket and sturdy shoes belong in your backpack even when the sun is shining.

Cooling off by the water

If it does get warm, the next swim is not far away. Titisee and Schluchsee are about 15 minutes away by car from our apartments. At the Schluchsee there is the Naturstrandbad at Seebrugg (an enclosed bathing area with lake access, sunbathing lawn, kiosk, showers and WC, children’s playground) and the aqua fun outdoor pool, whose operating status you should check with the municipality of Schluchsee before you go; the Badestelle Titisee operates without water supervision, so bathing is at your own risk. The Schluchsee is the largest lake in the Black Forest and wonderfully refreshing on hot days.

We have summarised all the details on bathing spots, lido beaches and boat hire in Swimming in the Upper Black Forest — including the honest tips on where it gets busy on summer weekends.

Families and little explorers

In summer the Feldberg is also ideal for families. On the Wichtelpfad (gnome trail) in the Auerhahnwald, children discover the forest in a playful way; it is 1.8 km long and easy, but not pushchair-friendly. With a pushchair, the summit circuit is the one to choose.

You will find concrete excursion destinations for children — from the 2.9 km Hasenhorn Coaster in Todtnau to the Haus der Natur — in Feldberg with Children. The Haus der Natur is the visitor centre of the nature reserve, with a permanent exhibition on the interplay of people and nature at the Feldberg, and it is barrier-free; it has no car park of its own, so you park in the Parkhaus Feldberg.

A tip against the crowds

On sunny summer weekends the well-known car parks and viewpoints get busy, and in the early afternoon queues sometimes form. Our honest advice: start early. Anyone on the trail by nine has the finest spots almost to themselves — and finds a parking space easily in the evening.

The perfect base for summer

Anyone staying right in the Upper Black Forest saves the long drives and is first up the mountain in the morning. After a day’s hiking, your own kitchen awaits for a quick meal, and the day can be shaped entirely to your own rhythm — without fixed breakfast times.

Stay with us

In our holiday apartments you stay right at the Feldberg — self check-in, a fully equipped kitchen, room for the whole family, and dogs are expressly welcome. Booked directly, you pay around 7% less than on Booking.com.